A Smile Detector and Other Apps You Need to Be Using

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A Smile Detector and Other Apps You Need to Be Using

Recho does one very simple, little thing: It lets you leave a voice message tied to a location. When other people using the app hit those coordinates, Recho will tell them there's something to listen to. You can use the app to discover different "rechoes" around you, if you actively want to listen in on someone's location-aware thoughts. You can also share interesting soundbytes with your Recho followers. It's a little weird and novel, but ultimately a new way to think about digital exploring a place.

You should always do your research before heading into the great unknown. Parking, hours of operation, menus—all important intel. Visor looks into how crowded a spot is, a crucial factor for many of us deciding if that beer fest or restaurant opening is even worth it. Visor answers questions like "how long is the wait?" and "is there any parking?" so you can make a decision before leaving the comfort of your couch.

OK, bear with me on this one, because it's not available to everyone, everywhere—yet. But the idea is interesting enough to talk about. GIGA Selfie is a promo from Tourism Australia that wants to replace the selfie stick. Here's how it works: You stand on a GIGA platform, open the app to take a selfie, which then also prompts a long-distance camera some 360 feet to also take your photo, so that you don't have to crane your arm to try and include the scenery and your precious mug. These GIGA-enabled platforms will be found throughout the country, so book your travel plans accordingly.

Brand apps usually aren't worth a download, but Listerine Smile Detector actually has a heartwarming purpose. The app helps people who are blind or losing their sight "feel" smiles. The app uses facial recognition to find a face and then vibrates in the user's hand to let them know that the person their talking with is smiling, a more subtle method than putting their hands on another person's face, and enriching a conversation.